Babies due September 2021

[FTEngineerM]

WE HAVE ARRIVALS 🥳🥳
Since we’ve had babies arriving I thought we could have somewhere to carry on after the babies are born and we tackle our new mum lives

I hope I tag everyone but ones arrived so far:
@kat1112025
@kirky685
@sillysocks998
@jay3004

And everyone else when your bundles of joy arrive:

@Noodles4Me - 26th Aug 💙
@Scotti84 - 30th Aug 💖

@Sceptre86 - 1st 💖
@primhutch - 1st 💖
@RaeRae84 - 1st 💙
@KHR1 - 1st 💙
@CherylLW - 3rd 💙
@GWhiteley - 3rd 💖
@deedeebythesea - 3rd 💙
@Allicit - 3rd 💙
@Poppins2016 - 4th 💛
@2021mumma - 5th 💙
@Squibble84 - 6th 💛
@leftitlate37 - 7th 💙
@SillyBry - 7th 💛
@LouiseJayne23 -7th 💖
@bewitchingnight - 8th 💖
@SK28 - 8th 💛
@Taralweaver - 8th 💖
@AdventuresAwait - 9th 💖
@mumof23188 - 9th 💙
@Bubbles1st - 10th 💙
@Catkin7 - 10th 💖
@FTEngineerM - 12th 💙
@CobleCloud - 13th 💙
@Maybebaby29 - 14th 💙
@Taybz - 14th 💙
@Bigdreamer9 - 14th 💙
@Eppy123 - 14th 💛
@Newmum110 -14th 💛
@Hopefulmummie - 16th 💖
@Mamabearwhere - 17th 💙
@HollyMoore - 17th 💖
@aurora2021 - 18th 💖
@Bluespace - 18th 💙
@ErrolFinn - 19th 💖
@xsjrx - 19th 💛tbc
@unicornpower - 20th 💖
@Moominmiss - 20th 💙
@Sophieandtiger - 20th 💛
@bluemagicalsky - 21st 💙
@Clouless - 21st 💛
@Suma2021 - 21st 💙
@SP2Bx - 22nd 💛
@Geegee20 - 22nd 💙
@Holly91 - 22nd 💛
@Rach921 - 23rd 💙
@LittleCatDog - 23rd 💖
@SproutingSprout2021 - 24th 💛
@LittleAurora -24th 💙
@RadDarwazeh - 25th 💛
@crobo87 - 25th 💙
@d0nut - 25th 💖
@GummyBear91 - 25th 💖
@AdriannaP - 25th 💛
@MrsTD88 -27th 💖
@MrsBrett20 - 27th 💛
@marshmallowmode -27th 💙
@Mrssernalewis - 28th 💛
@ams92 - 30th 💖

@Suma2021
No advice here really either except to say that we were the same. My DS, Ben has really suffered with gas and wind. He is 6 weeks old now and I feel it is maybe finally improving. He is better at burping now which seems to help him out as the gas doesn't get stuck in his tummy. We also tried infacol and gripe water but am not sure they made much difference. Sorry- no tips there really but just thought I would share my cluelessness too as a FTM!

@Suma2021 when I spoke to the paediatrician about this, he said dairy is the most likely culprit but it’s unlikely other things make it into breast milk unless you have large quantities! I asked about caffeine and he said it was unlikely but worth a try. I’m also enjoying a glass of red wine and he said to not worry about that! That stew sounds delicious so I think you’ll be fine! Try dairy and see if it helps?

Hi ladies. Those of you who may have stopped breast feeding sooner than you anticipated how do you feel about it?

I really want to feed for at least 6 months but between the milk blebs, gum clenches, wriggling and leg kicking from trapped wind we can't seem to avoid, I just can't imagine getting there

I feel really sad and currently persevering but im starting to dread feeding 😭

Is it normal for babies to have a lump/ridge on their head? I know its soft and won't have closed yet but just a bit worried as her head looks misshapen.

@Bubbles1st no advice but I feel the same! Billie is a right fidget now and constantly pulls off the boob and it bloody hurts sometimes! I envy those who find feeding relaxing as I, like you am dreading it lately. She’s 8 weeks tomorrow and it’s not getting any easier!

@Bubbles1st @unicornpower I exclusively breastfed my first up to 1 year. (Well, 11.5 months as I had to travel with work... but same, same.)
I had a huge love/hate relationship with it.
I felt proud that I persevered and she didn't need formula. But man, the first six weeks were hell. I used to cry every time she latched on as it hurt so much. Then when she was fussing and cluster feeding, I felt like a dairy cow having to feed her every 5 minutes.
She was a pain to feed in public once she got to being about 4 months as she was waaay too interested in everything else, so basically I would spray milk everywhere whilst she jumped on and off. She had jaundice in her early days and the hospital told me she had to have 20 mins on each side at every feed and I used to fight and fight her to have that much because she was always done after 10 mins.
(I now realise that's BS and babies take what they need. Mine are quick feeders and generally don't latch on for hours at every feed! But also, they are hungrier at some feeds than others, just like us!)

But, expressing saved me. She had 1 feed a day that was a bottle and that used to make me feel more human. I didn't have to whop my boobs out or hubby could do it. Plus, I could go out alone knowing that she wouldn't starve without me, which made me feel waaay less guilty.
Second baby, my attitude is so different. I'm like "thank god I haven't got to fiddle with formula and making milk up... I just flap a boob out and away she goes!" I don't stress about how much or how long she feeds for and I can see that this time, I'll easily make it to the year. But my boobs are definitely far more hardened to the task this time! It doesn't hurt remotely.

Have you considered expressing? Or if you struggle to express, giving one formula feed a day to give yourself a break? First time, I told myself, "get to six weeks" and then I set myself the task of 12 weeks... and by then, by her dropping a couple of feeds and having a bottle a day, it felt much easier. Once they get to 6 months, it gets easier again as you bring food in and so they need less milk. By 12 months, my eldest was only having boob at wake up and bedtime, she then had expressed at nursery.

But, whatever you do, don't feel like you've failed. Change the mindset from stopping early to thinking "I've breastfed for 6 weeks, how amazingly have I done!" and take each day at a time. I would've used formula if I had struggled to express as I needed the freedom of someone else being able to feed!

@SillyBry thanks for your reply, to be honest I'm really proud to have got to 10 weeks he is becoming quite the little chunk so I know I'm definitely doing something right.

I actually hate expressing, I was doing it the beginning but once he hit birth weight at 3 weeks I stopped. I've just been using my haaka since to build up a small stash.

Today I am pumping to give my nipples a break and try and break the milk bleb.

I honestly do not want the faff of formula and up until now had loved some of the feeding especially in the night snuggled in bed.

Think I was just having a wobble this morning and my hate for pumping has been affirmed.

I will keep at it and home that he is strong enough for some weaning at 4/5 months and that I can drop a couple of feeds that way.
After all only got to get to new year if I focus on that.

@unicornpower pleased I'm not alone and hope your journey can continue and gets better soon

@Bubbles1st Wobbles are totally normal and expected! 10 weeks is bloody awesome. It's seriously hard work in the early days - nipples aren't expecting the onslaught for a start. And all the advice is "if it hurts, it's not done right." Sorry, I call BS. Even done right, it bloody hurts initially!!

Funny isn't it... I tell everyone to express as I'm sure it's the only thing that saved me from running to Asda and buying formula! But definitely don't do it if it's making you miserable and you hate it! The Haakaa's are amazing for easy milk collecting without feeling like a dairy cow hooked up to wires and buzzing machines.

Once they start food, it's a whole new faff as you have to prep that and take it with you, but it's a godsend to be able to shove a snack at them to keep them happy rather than always rely on milk! ;-)

@scotti84 ridge/ bump on the head here too, apparently is their fontanelle and can take a good few months to close.

I've finally packed up the breastpump and just feeding formula now! We've tried cow and gate comfort to help with colic but no luck, we've moved to kendamil to try that next!

Hope everyone's OK x

How are everyone’s babies sleeping? Billie seems to be getting worse, not sure if it’s leap 2 or the reflux. She goes to sleep on me about 9/10pm and then wakes about 2am to feed but after that she refuses to go back into her next to me crib and will only sleep on me. We are trying to persevere with putting her down for naps as I’m so restricted and can’t get anything done at all. But she wakes around 10/15 mins after being put down. She’s also going through a phase where she will only settle for me and screams bloody murder if my husband tries to calm her down. I think the reflux is to blame for most of it but it’s really tough.

@unicornpower we're the same, I'm pretty sure it's leap 2 for us (due date was 19th sept). Wide awake from 1.30 to 4.30am last night, nothing would settle her. Previously she would be in her crib from 8pm till 7am with two wake ups for feeding. I read they can be fussy with food with leap 2 and its exactly what's happening. Keeps coming on and off the breast and crying, she was feeding perfectly before. Hoping it passes quickly!

@Kirky658 we had our 2 month drs appt today and she didn't mention it when she measured her head so i think it just feels worse than it is. I think youve done the right thing with feeding, im still hanging on in there but i do beat myself up if shes still hungry and im out. Im still so on and off with refilling, its hard to know whether ill habe enough, too much or not enough and i cant find a pattern to it.

We had jabs today, one dropped in the mouth, one in each leg, Lilly was a rockstar, cried to start then caught her reflection in the mirror and was more interested in that. Since weve been home shes cried a bit and slept a lot, we're having skin to skin on the sofa in the hope it helps her feel happier.

@scotti84 I asked the HV about it today and she said it's normal will take 12 months or so to go! Alice is now 10lb 12oz, I'm so proud of her! Glad Lilly was OK with her jabs, Alice was unsettled after her 2nd ones think it was the pneumonia one that did it x

Hey ladies, hope you and the babies are all doing well ❤️

Routines… is anyone in one? Started one? Any idea about when to start one?

The only thing we’re in a routine with it waking up about 7/8am and then having a morning nap at about 10… it’s the same everyday if he doesn’t he gets grouchy.

Bed times etc 🤷🏻‍♀️… I have no idea! I’m not fussed as I love being with him but know it won’t help me in the long run if I don’t get in to a big of a routine

@CherLW our day starts the same. Wake her up at 7/7.30, feed, go off to do the school run, so she usually sleeps 8.30-10ish. Then feed at 10.30ish, back down for another nap between 11.30-12… but she often fights it, has a top up feed and sleeps from 1ish.
Then school run again from 3-4, so she usually naps.

But our evenings are SO unpredictable right now. We bath at 6 on bath nights; then feed and she’ll fall asleep, but usually only for an hour and then she cluster feeds and fusses til 10, when I take her to bed.

From memory, at about 10 weeks, I started doing a proper bedtime for my first as she was just too distracted and grumpy with tv and downstairs lights etc in the evenings.

@SillyBry I’m glad I’m not the only one with unpredictable evenings! I usually go to bed the same time as him as it’s easier I find and I’m always so tired!

Jesse will be 11 weeks this week. Some evenings go smoothly and some go similar to yours when he’s fussy and he definitely gets to a point when he doesn’t want to be with lights, tv etc so get him to bed.

Where does your little one nap in the day? I find it easy when out for a walk which I mainly do for the morning nap from 10ish but the rest he’s either on me or in a vibrating chair/bed thing

My routine is bed at 11.30pm because the boy then sleeps til 6am. His dad takes him then til 8am so I get to sleep a bit more. Then we either nap more or get up. I do my hair and face/shower then feed, nap, walk, feed, nap, walk, feed and bed.

Life is so exciting! If we don't walk, we might go out in car to see my mum, go to town, go to some shops etc.

Boy is 13.5 lbs now at 11.5 weeks! But he is being a bit sickie at the moment so don't know what's going on?

So Lilly wakes up usually around 7ish for a feed, then I get myself ready, she'll feed then at about 10 then nap for an hr or so, hubby's on shifts this month due to having lots of work, so this week finishes at 2 so we'll go meet him and she naps in the pram, but if were home she usually naps somewhere between 2 n 5pm for an hour or two. We get her ready for bed at about 8 and all go to the bedroom, ill feed her and we watch a movie (me and DH) and Lilly will lay with us, usually awake. She'll have a last big feed about 10.30pm then I put her in the next to me and she usually drops off about 11.30, nappy change in her sleep at 3.30ish and then wakes at 7. Sometimes she wants to feed at 3.30 and sometimes she sleeps through. We tried to keep to same bedtimes etc from the start more for us really and she's luckily fallen into it. It is early for us to go to bed but we get to relax together and she's quite happy being held by one of us as we watch a movie. Not sure how long it will last but finger's crossed it stays like this!

@Scotti84 sounds perfect! I’m very lucky that Rosie is also fab at night. She quite often sleeps from 11-7, which is fabulous!

@CherLW her first nap is always in the car seat as we are out on the school run. Then I have a lay flat vibrating rocker chair thing, which she naps in in the day. I can’t remember when I moved the big one upstairs for naps. I think only when they got more defined and regular!

Hi all, Reading your posts make me think that maybe my little one is sleeping too much. I'm now looking up sleep for a 10 week old and it says it may be due to a growth spurt. I'm going to keep a log. We usually have a play and baby massage first thing around 9 and then a nap. In the afternoon we often go for a walk or to a group etc so she sleeps in the pram. She also sleeps as we eat dinner & goes to bed at 9.30. Some awake periods in between. She sleeps well overnight. But in the day, this is a rough description as it can really differ & she just sleeps when she sleeps! Also still likes to be held when sleeping in the day. Anyone else? Xx

@AdventuresAwait so my post above is a typical day, but there are days it seems like shes asleep all the time. Shes deffo awake for a good 4 or 5 hours in the evening in one go, but in the day it can be that she naps for about 30 mins or two hours. The dr had said as long as she wakes herself, and is alert when she is awake, and is eating then its nothing to worry about. Shes off and on with where she sleeps too, I love when she falls asleep face down on my chest with her face in my neck, but she only does that after the late feed now 😭 sometimes she wants to lay across me and wiggles abour until she drops her head off the side, then when shes out if i put her in the crib shes awake in seconds, other times i can put her down while i go to the loo or something and she's out like a light. I cant call it.

Thanks @Scotti84, she always wakes herself, feeds well and is alert when awake. I'm keeping a note today and she's actually been awake more than I thought! Maybe the sleeps just felt longer than they were. Not concerned but interested now to monitor for a few days and see. Same here with where she sleeps in the day! But she sleeps in the evening so quite different to your little one! It might change after this leap I guess.

On a different note, anyone else's baby poo a lot?? We have a lot of dirty nappies every day!

Oscar has kind of gotten himself into his own routine,
He generally sleeps from 11pm- 6amish.
He's normally back asleep within an hour which gives me chance to get ready and make sure the older kids are ready and out of the door for school ( I don't have to do the school runs anymore)
Evenings are a bit less predictable as he's generally unsettled then and can be awake for most of the evening and gets overtired.

@AdventuresAwait Our poos are every few days... but we're breastfeeding and it's quite common for them to not be very regular with breastfeeding. Can't comment on bottle bums as I've not got a clue! ;-)

I get a total anxiety that "Rosie has been asleep all day and I need to wake her!" then I remember, she's only been asleep 90 minutes or whatever. She sleeps well up until 2ish, but is then disrupted by school runs and big sister, so catches cat naps as big sister is more interesting than sleep!
I think they all have times when they sleep more or less - enjoy the big sleep periods, they are blissful!

@SillyBry, we're exclusively breastfeeding too! And have many poos a day. I did wonder if it wax a lot...